Page 16 of Undercover Infidel
I turned toward the earl’s rooms a few paces away, conscious of her gaze following me. At my door, I glanced back to find her still standing there, her expression unreadable in the dim light. For a moment, neither of us moved.
Was she thinking about the proximity of our beds, separated only by an ancient stone wall? The thought had certainly crossed my mind, unwelcome but persistent.
She broke the spell first, crossing the threshold without another word. I entered my owntemporarysuite moments later, closing the door on the strange tension that seemed determined to follow us despite every logical reason to resist it.
The new year had officially begun, bringing with it new challenges. Tonight, I needed distance and clarity that apparently even the sprawling castle couldn’t provide.
6
LEX
The shrill ring of my mobile pierced the early morning silence, jolting me from a restless night. I fumbled for it on the bedside table, blinking at the time. Zero five fifteen.
“Viper.” I recognized the secure line identifier before answering.
“Tell me I didn’t wake you, the woman who never sleeps beyond zero four hundred.” Bellamy Hall’s voice held unmistakable amusement. “Not to mention, you’re still in Scotland, I assume, and I haven’t received an update on your investigation.”
I sat up, suddenly alert. “Apologies, I?—”
“Please, Lex. I’m joking. Tell me, how is Lord Blackmoor?”
“We’ve made significant progress?—”
“On what precisely?”
I rested my head on the pillow. “Stop it.”
“Forgive me for thinking you’d succumb to Infidel’s charms.”
I had, as she probably well knew or at least sensed, not that I’d admit it.
“Have youalsomade progress on the Project Labyrinth investigation?”
“What do you know about Viktor Orlov?” I asked instead of engaging in her suggestive comments.
“Rumor is he survived the explosion that was supposed to have cost him his life. However, I’ve not seen proof yet. What makes you ask?”
“I heard it as well.” I moved to the window, watching dawn break over the Highland landscape. “I’d like to consult with Dr. McLaren,” I blurted before I could talk myself out of it. Con certainly hadn’t consulted with me about Angus Drummond’s involvement or David Ashcroft’s, Sullivan River’s, or Niall MacTaggert’s. Why should I feel compelled to check with him before working with people I had for years?
“You’re right.,” said Viper. “If Orlov is alive, Evelyn may very well have contacts who can confirm it one way or another.”
“No doubt Dr. McLaren could provide insight on the list we’re building of Fallon Wallace’s contacts in Syria.”
“You don’t need my permission, Lex. This is your investigation, and McLaren is your contact as much as she is mine.”
“Understood. It’s just that…”
“Go on.”
“Infidel was opposed to us adding anyone to the investigation who wasn’t thoroughly vetted.”
“Thoroughly vetted? Did you inform him?—”
“I did, and while he backtracked slightly via an apology, he didn’t go beyond that to say he was comfortable with my consulting with her.”
“Tell him to sod off,” Viper replied sharply. “You don’t answer to him or to anyone from Unit 23 in the same way they don’t answer to me. Request approved. Anything else pertinent?”
“The Blackmoor Estate is allegedly connected to Ashcroft and Glenshadow via underground tunnels.”
